Kioskos de Luquillo | Puerto Rico

One thing I really wanted to do in Puerto Rico was visit the Luquillo food stalls. After driving through El Yunque - the islands majestic rainforest, we headed into Luquillo to an absolutely packed and bumping scene. Where the loudest subwoofers hollered we looked to find parking amongst scattered trash and the uneven, dusty lots between Luquillo Beach (is everyone on the island here?) and the kiosks. This beach is everything to locals and watersports enthusiasts alike. Family party tents and jet skis abound! 

We strolled up and down the stalls with a bit of indecision before winding up at A Fuego. [family photographs with the fire hats might make a little more sense now!] The fire truck kept the boys extra entertained while we had quite an amazing lunch. I kicked things off with a Luquillo Sunset [Club Caribe Rum, Passionfruit, Orange Juice, Pineapple + Grenadine] before tucking into a fresh Caribbean Lobster. Selected from the tank, the spiny crustacean was steamed until tender and drenched in a garlic and herb butter, served with traditional rice + beans. This was so so delicious and satisfying!

The open air Kioskos de Luquillo are casual, fun and authentically Puerto Rican, I am so happy we paid them a visit. 

After lunch I found the Mojito Lab Kiosko! 

Guanabana fruit is my go to mojito flavor. It is tropical, creamy, refreshing and pairs perfectly with rum and mint. 

We meandered to the playa here for a stroll and then drove over to a different local beachside neighborhood, Vilomar, to check out The Brass Cactus for a beer or two. Behold a super cool bar with all kinds of vintage signage. Worth it!

Fajardo Dinnertime Eats

 
May I recommend the red snapper at Sal + Pimienta By The Sea. We ate here on our first night in Fajardo and were replete with delicious seafood meals after a fun but long road trip from the west coast. 

Since we were staying at the well known El Conquistador Resort via airbnb we were not allowed to access their restaurants. It felt like a bummer but in the end it made us get out and explore! 

Fajardo truly is a sleepy town at night. We felt a little off at times; there just isn't a ton going on! Everything closes pretty early and there is not a main section of town. Sal + Pimienta and La Estacion are on the main road but there's no foot traffic, no sidewalks, no street lights, nothing is a destination except the restaurants themselves I suppose.

La Estacion is apparently sort of famous! Housed in an abandoned Esso gas station serving Nuyorican BBQ; Fodor's and Conde Nast have it on best-of-lists for not only Puerto Rico but the Caribbean as a whole. Bob found it on a whim, it sits just down the road from La Conquistadors pearly, exclusive gates. I sipped a juicy Guanabana mojito, we shared tangy Caribbean chicken wings and a terrific BBQ tray. 

They are open Friday through Sunday only. 

Mon/Fri @ 4 pm and Sat/Sun @ 2 pm.

On our last night in town we decided to give Las Croabas neighborhood another go. This is what you might consider the "main area" in and around Seven Seas Beach. 

We explored Las Croabas on a couple different occasions for lunch and it was very quiet; the only restaurant open was Costa Mia right at Seven Seas. (We ate lunch here - it was fine - I did not take photos!) A lot of restaurants have odd hours (La Estacion as noted above), close for 2 days in a row, or simply did not exist! We could not trust google for anything factual. 

Is this Fajardo still emerging from a pandemic?

 A quiet time of year? 

Business as usual?

On our last night we discovered El Pescador, a charming seafood enclave on the small circular strip surrounding Parque Pasvio. Camden slept in the stroller. Ryder was well rested and could hang. They serve martinis in frosted sea blue glasses and bright, fresh fish dishes with rice + salads.

We were delighted.

Our 6 month old! Kind as could be with long brown curls, shiny blue eyes, taking everything in and enjoying the world around him!

Pineapple Flan was a sweet ending to an enlightened stay in a unique part of Puerto Rico!

If you visit:

Sal + Pimienta by the Sea

 Road 987 Km 2.7, 

Fajardo, 00738

La Estacion

Carr. 987 Km 4.20 

Las Croabas, Fajardo, 00738

El Pescadore

Carr. 987 Km 7.2 

Parque Pasivo, Fajardo, 00738

St Germain Cafe + OSJ Final Strolls

After four days in Old San Juan I am filled with so much joy, inspiration and love for my family! It is a wonder how all the craziness and crankiness of life back home seems to fade when on vacation. The boys seem to enjoy traveling and I'm sure a lot of it has to do with parents in vacation mode - relaxed and with a slow parenting vibe - who can give them lots of attention. 

Yes, you must have brunch at St Germain Café. Any fabulous cocktail on the blackboard menu will do - I am drinking a Guana Mash with rum, Guanabana (fave tropical fruit), cucumber, basil + citrus. I am eating a Mallorca, which is a sweet and fluffy Puerto Rican bread turned breakfast sandwich that comes dusted in powdered sugar. 

St. Germain Bistro & Cafe

156 Sol St

San Juan, 00901